Ethics Theory, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing
Q. 1. “It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.” – Jeremy Bentham. What do you understand by the above quote? Bring out its significance in the context of public policy making. (150 words, 10 marks)
Introduction
Jeremy Bentham, the founder of classical utilitarianism, proposed a teleological moral framework that evaluates actions based on their outcomes, specifically in terms of the happiness or welfare they generate for the majority.
Body
“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and Body pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do.” – Jeremy Bentham.
Body Explanation of the Quote
The quote means that moral rightness depends solely on the utility or benefit an action provides to the largest number of people. It shifts the moral compass from individual virtue to consequential outcomes, emphasizing measurable well-being over abstract ideals.
Significance in Policy Making
- Guides Welfare-Oriented Decisions: Policies prioritizing public health, education, and social security directly follow this utilitarian principle. Example: The National Food Security Act aims to ensure nutrition for over two-thirds of India’s population.
- Democratic Legitimacy: In a democracy, prioritizing the majority’s welfare provides ethical and political validation to governance.
- Resource Allocation Efficiency: Encourages distribution of limited resources to benefit the largest number. Example: Prioritizing rural electrification projects over non-essential urban luxuries.
- Moral Grounding for Compromise: Offers a reasoned method to resolve policy dilemmas by maximizing collective happiness. Example: COVID-19 lockdowns prioritized saving lives over short-term economic interests.
- Evaluative Tool for Public Servants: Guides bureaucrats to assess policy impact in terms of societal benefit.
Limitations / Counter-Arguments
- May undermine minority rights : Prioritizing majority welfare can suppress or neglect marginalized communities. Example: Displacement of tribal communities for dam projects in the name of larger energy benefits.
- Ethical dilution in implementation: Overemphasis on aggregate outcomes may compromise justice and human dignity. Example: Quota reductions for efficiency may marginalize historically disadvantaged groups.
- Predictive uncertainty: Consequentialist decisions rely on outcomes that are not always foreseeable. Example: A large infrastructure project might appear beneficial but create unforeseen environmental damage.
- Ignores moral duty: Deontological ethics like Kant’s emphasize doing what is right irrespective of the outcome. Example: Mass surveillance may ensure safety but violate citizens’ rights.
Conclusion
Bentham’s teleological utilitarianism provides a practical, outcome-based lens for policy making. However, ethical governance demands that this approach be balanced with constitutional safeguards—such as justice, inclusivity, and respect for individual rights—to ensure holistic welfare in a pluralistic society.
